Spelling game



Oct. 15, 1940 5 AXELROD 2,218,375

SPEIQLING GAME Filed Sept. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5020772072 Axelrod BY P sd. ATTORNEY riors are accessible.

Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED an osrics 10 Claims.

10 Each section contains and displays a number of balls, each ball representing a letter from the ABC or a symbol. A few balls will represent stars or other winning expressions. Each section will also have one or more carriers.

: The invention has for a further object the construction of a device which is characterized .by a pair of hollow bodies each having a top inclined surface down which balls may be rolled and each having a side door by which the inte- It is proposed to arrange certain track systems in conjunction with these bodies whereby objects such as balls and other objects or commodities within the balls may be transported across the track systems and into the T--' hollow bodies.

Still further the invention proposes to provide groups of balls each'imprinted with a symbol or a different letter so that the article may be 7 used as a spelling game.

. 1 Still further the invention proposes the provision of latching means disposed within each body for latching the door thereof closed when the first ball enters, and an arrangement whereby a large ball may be sent along the track system 3 for releasing the latching means when it enters the body, and spelling of a particular word has been completed.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a device and game as mentioned ac which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure 5 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a'spelling 1 game constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1. a Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an elevational View of a group of 5 balls used with the device.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of one of the balls.

Fig. 8 is an elevationalview of another ball used in the device.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary. enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational View of a spelling game constructed according to a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional ,view taken on the line l2l2 of Fig. 11.

The spelling game in accordance with this invention includes a pair of hollow bodies Hi and it each having a top inclined surface I2 down which balls may be rolled. Each hollow body is provided with a side door l3 by which the interiors thereof are accessible. Along the sides of the inclined surface 12 there are flanges IZ to limit the traveling of the balls and prevent their accidental falling off of the bodies.

A track system it of a construction on which balls may roll, is provided for each of the hollow bodies. These track systems connect up with the bottom ends of the inclined surface and then with the interiors of the bodies. Specifically there is one trackconnecting up with the bottom of one inclined surface and the interior of the other hollow body.

M connects up with the bottom of the inclined surface of the latter hollow body. Thetrack systems M and hollow bodies Hi and H are mounted on a base M which may be a table top, or just a board for resting on a table top or bench.

The base [4' is divided by a line 30 into two areas, one for each player or operator of the device. Each track system H has a gate 3| hinged at 32 and adapted to extend across the track as indicated by the dot and dash lines 3! to deflect the balls from the tracks to the center of the base Hi. When the gates are in the positions indicated by the lines M, the side portions of the tracks are open and if a ball is rolled down the inclined surface !2 it will be deflected from the track through the open portion thereof.

A means is provided for each hollow body for latching the door l3 thereof closed when the first ball enters. This means includes a lever i5 piv- The other track system 35 the balls will remain on the cross track.

otally supported near one end by a pintle I6 mounted on a supporting bracket H. The adjacent end 55 of the lever 55 is adapted to be in the path of motion of the first ball entering the hollow body, as indicated by the reference numeral l8. The track system i i enters the hollow body through an opening l9 in one side controlled by a hinged door E9 supported at one side by hinges l9 When the door 59 is closed The track system terminates at the end l t It is this end which is adapted to accommodate the first ball H8.

The lever it has a finger 29 at its free end which is cooperative with a leaf spring 2! mounted upon one wall of the hollow body. A bolt portion I5 projects from the lever l5 and is engageable through a keeper 22 mounted upon the door l3. The arrangement is such that when the ball l8 moves the end 95 of the lever Hi the .finger 29 is freed from the spring 2| and the bolt portion l5 enters the keeper 22 to latch the door I3 closed.

A large ball i8 is provided with each set of balls. This large ball is adapted to function to release the door 83 after it enters the housing. More particularly the track system M has a reduced throat portion M within the housing ar ranged to stop the large ball 28 in a certain position. In this position the ball 58' engages against the projection I5 from the lever 85. The large ball It moves the projection 55 to pivot and raise the lever l5 so that the free end is moved out from the keeper 22. When this occurs the finger reengages the spring 2 l.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a group of balls i8 and 18' have been illustrated for playing the game. Each of these balls preferably is made of sections frictionally engageable with each other. The balls are hollow, so that they may hold articles such as slips of paper, with messages, and the like. The large ball I8 is imprinted with a star or other symbol. The smaller balls are imprinted with letters 26 or other symbols. In Fig. 8 a hollow ball I8 is shown having a side door 25 hinged at one end 26 and provided with a latch 21 at its other end. This door may be opened and then messages or articles placed within the ball.

The spelling table has the tracks It on all the four sides, and the middle surface in between the tracks is divided into two sections equally by the line 30.

The long side tracks for the spelling system, have the hollow body, It or i I, each one at its beginning side only. The inclined tops 82 are used for rolling down ball like objects. At the other end of the table it turns into a continuation transverse track, the portions hi reaching across the table to the beginning of the next long track. At its first inner corner the inner wall of the long track isv a little shorter, about the same measurement as the width of the tracks, to give an opening for the balls to come down back into the storing space of the table through gate 31 The crossing extended tracks could be made removable between the points 34 and 35 being held only by several dowels 36 on its bottom engaging the base lt' or it may have an inner lining made of thin metal M, or a glass tube serving as a lining or covering to the inner part of the track. This lining, or inner track is removable, when the balls of the spelled word have to be sent back, the inner lining is then lifted up until its open end reaches the cutout notch of its adjacent inner wall of the long track, then, the balls roll right out into the beginning of the long track, and roll back to the first partner.

The balls may also be returned by a system, as shown in the modified form of the device, illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive, wherein the spelling game is provided with a modified means for returning the played balls to the player playing them. More specifically beneath the table top I4 or beneath the upper track, there is another pair of carrying tracks I4 of the same size and shape as the upper tracks. These lower tracks I i" have long sides extending along the long sides of the table and also are provided with transverse short sides extending transversely of the table beneath the transverse portions of the upper tracks. These short sides are inclined as illustrated in Fig. 12, and connect with the long sides of the tracks, which preferably are also inclined as illustrated in Fig. 10.

The short sides of the lower tracks are located immediately below openings 38 formed in the bases of the transverse portions of the upper tracks. These openings 33 are normally closed with removable slides 39. Each slide 39 has a base portion 39 engaging in a groove 40 formed in the table top l4. Each slide 39 also has a vertical portion 39* by which the slide may be gripped and moved. In Fig. 11 the slide 39 is shown extended so that the opening 38 is unrestricted, and the balls which have been stored in the transverse sections of the upper track, may fall through the opening 38 upon the lower track. The bottom receiving tracks are so inclined that the balls will roll to the lowest points of the tracks, which are arranged to be adjacent the end of the table from which the balls were originally played. At these ends, the tracks I 4 are provided with tubular shaped discharges 4| through which the balls may be discharged into collecting pails 42 placed on the floor or a drawer like container.

In other-respects this form of the invention is identical to the prior form, the same parts may be recognized by the same reference numerals.

The balls for spelling could be made of any material, soft or hard, hollow or solid, the size, starting from glass immies or marbles to any size in proportion to the width of the tracks. Each ball represents a letter like A, B, C or a winning point like a star or similar symbol. Each letter must be repeated on difi'erent sides of its surrounding surface, so that the balls shall not have to be adjusted to see the spelled word. The two sets must be of two diiferent shades, or colors making it possible to distinguish between each players balls.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The spelling game must be operated by two people. Each one has a section, consisting of a set of balls and a track to send out balls. When one wants to spell a word, he picks the right letters, and sends them over the track in order after each other. The halls fall according to the spelling in the transverse track of his partner. If the words are spelled correctly, his partner then sends back to him or to her the balls with a star ball in addition as a winning point. The returned balls with the stars fall into the first partners displaying and storing section. When a number of winning points are collected and saved up, then they are exchanged for a carrier with money or any other prize in it.

The first small ball will assume the position indicated by the reference numeral l8 in Fig. 4. It

' is this ball which pivots the lever IE to cause the bolt portion 15 to enter the keeper 2.2. The finger 2t then rides off of the leaf spring 2 I. The large ball l8 engages the projection l5- to move the lever !5 so that the bolt portion is moved out from the keeper 22. The door may now be opened and the balls moved. When the balls l8 are removed from the track system, the end of the lever 15 is freed. Subsequently when the ball i8 is removed the lever l5 maintains its position because now the finger: again engages the leaf spring 2|.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved'to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and-over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of saidballs being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball entors the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened topermit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body.

' 2. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a-track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said track being formed of channel shaped material having its arms directed upwards to prevent the balls from falling therefrom.

3. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof. may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latchng said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said means, comprising a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one end and extended parallel to the end of said track located within said hollow body, a bolt extending downwards from said lever, a keeper mounted on said door to be engaged by said bolt for holding said door closed, and means for releasably holding said lever in a position in which said bolt will be disengaged from said keeper permitting said door to be opened.

t. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side-having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned ,1 body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said means,

comprising a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one end and extended parallel to the end of said track located within said hollow body, a bolt extending downwards from said lever, a keeper mounted on said door to be engaged by said bolt for holding said door closed, and means for releasibly holding said lever in a position in which said bolt will be disengaged from said keeper permitting said door to be opened, said lever having its end adjaoent the end of said track directed towards said track to be engaged by the first ball entering said hollow body to pivot said lever in one direction and release said latter means permitting said bolt to engage said keeper and lock said door closed.

5. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned bodythrough an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having" said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said secondmentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a difierent letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said means, comprising a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one end and extended parallel to the end of said track located within said hollow body, a bolt extending downwards from said lever, a keeper mounted on said door to be engaged by said bolt for holding said door closed, and means for releasably holding said lever in a position in which said bolt will be disengaged from said keeper permitting said door to be opened, said lever having its end adjacent the end of said track directed towards said track to be engaged by the first ball entering said hollow body to pivot said lever in one direction and release said latter means permitting said bolt to engage said keeper and lock said door closed, said lever having a downwardly extending projection arranged between said bolt and the pivot point of said lever to be engaged by said large ball to pivot said lever in the opposite direction and reengage said latter mentioned means and disengage said keeper from said-bolt.

6. In a device of the class described, a body having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said secondmentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said means, comprising a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one end and extended parallel to the end of said track located within said hollow body, a bolt extending downwards from said lever, a keeper mounted on said door to be engaged by said bolt for holding said door closed, and means for releasably holding said lever in a position in which said bolt will be disengaged from said keeper permitting said door to be opened, said latter ing said leaf spring.

1. In a device of the class described, a table, a body mounted on one end of said table and having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body mounted on the other end of said table and having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls mounted on said table and extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side oppose-d to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said track being formed with an opening extending through said table and through which certain of said balls may be permitted to drop before entering said hollow body, a slide for normally closing said opening to permit said balls to enter said hollow body, and a second track located beneath said table for catching the balls which drop through said opening for conveying the same back to the end of the table having said first-mentioned body.

8. In a device of the class described, a table, a body mounted on one end of said table and having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body mounted on the other end of said table and having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls mounted on said table and extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a difierent letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said track being formed with an opening extending through said table and through which certain of said balls may be permitted to drop before entering said hollow body, a slide for normally closing said opening to permit said balls to enter said hollow body, and a second track located beneath said table for catching the balls which drop through said opening for conveying the same back to the end of the table having said firstmentioned body, said slide being mounted in grooves in the table, and having a vertical arm by which it may be gripped and moved.

9. In a device of the class described, a table, a body mounted on one end of said table and having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body mounted on the other end of said table and having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls mounted on said table and extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a different letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollowbody and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said track being formed with an opening extending through said table and through which certain of said balls may be permitted to drop before entering said hollow body, a slide for normally closing said opening to permit said balls to enter said hollow body, and a second track located beneath said table for catching the balls which drop through said opening for conveying the same back to the end of the table having said first-mentioned body, said bottom track system being provided with a discharge opening at its end and a pail mounted beneath said discharge opening for receiving discharged balls.

10. In a device of the class described, a table, a body mounted on one end of said table and having a downwardly inclined top surface down which balls may be rolled, a second hollow body mounted on the other end of said table and having a side door through which the interior thereof may be reached, a track system for use in rolling balls mounted on said table and extending from the bottom of said first-mentioned body and entering the hollow of said second-mentioned body through an opening formed in the side opposed to the side having said door, a plurality of small balls adapted to be rolled down said top surface and over said track and into the hollow of said second-mentioned body, each of said balls being imprinted with a difierent letter and being adapted to be rolled in a predetermined chronological order for spelling a word, means within said hollow body for latching said door closed when the first small ball enters the hollow thereof, and a large ball adapted to be rolled down said inclined top after the desired word has been spelled to enter said hollow body and release said means so that said door may be opened to permit all of said balls to be removed from said hollow body, said track being formed with an opening extending through said table and through which certain of said balls may be permitted to drop before entering said hollow body, a slide for normally closing said opening to permit said balls to enter said hollow body, and a second track located beneath said table for catching the balls which drop through said opening for conveying the same back to the end of the table having said first-mentioned body, said bottom track system being provided with a discharge opening at its end and a pail mounted beneath said discharge opening for receiving discharged balls, said discharge opening being provided with a short discharge tube.

SOLOMON AXELROD. 

